RISK FACTORS

• Sharing syringes to inject drugs, hormones or steroids
• Tattoos & body piercings in unregulated settings
• HIV-infection
• History of incarceration
• Children born to mothers infected with Hepatitis C
• Non-injection drug use is a risk factor for HCV (and many other infectious diseases)
• Sharing drug use equipment (pipes, cotton, cookers, water, etc.)
• Sharing straws for snorting drugs
• Occupational needlestick
• Received blood transfusions or blood components before 1992
• Sharing personal care items such as razors, clippers or toothbrushes
• Sexual transmission (not common, however, some sexual practices may involve blood)